Meet the day gecko of the genus Phelsuma
Without a doubt, the day gecko of the genus Phelsuma is one of the most stunning animals found in terrariums. Despite being geckos, they are not difficult to spot, even in a fully decorated terrarium. This is because they are diurnal creatures. They love basking in the sun, absorbing UV radiation that benefits their bodies. That’s why they almost always remain in the well-lit areas of the terrarium, equipped with heat lamps and a UVB source.
Where do day geckos live, and what do they eat?
The day gecko of the genus Phelsuma is native to the islands of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Africa. It can be found in Madagascar, the Comoros, the Seychelles, the Mascarene Islands, the Andaman Islands, Mozambique, Tanzania, and South Africa. The genus comprises about 43 species, with 29 found in Madagascar, 25 of which are endemic to the island. Unlike most members of the Gekkonidae family, these geckos are diurnal and heliophilous, preferring habitats with strong sunlight.
They likely evolved in Madagascar before spreading to many other islands in the western Indian Ocean. Some suggest that the ancestor of all Phelsuma geckos was a dry-climate species from Africa. In the distant past, it may have reached the arid western coast of Madagascar before the genus expanded into the humid regions of the Indian Ocean, diversifying into numerous species. Today, Phelsuma is the most diverse genus of lizards in Madagascar.
Geckos of the genus Phelsuma lead an arboreal lifestyle, inhabiting environments with varying temperature and humidity levels. They can be found in rocky and shrubby semi-deserts, palm groves, bamboo thickets, lowland and highland rainforests, and high-altitude cloud forests. Many species are highly synanthropic, drawn to human settlements by the abundance of food.
These lizards are omnivores, feeding on a variety of invertebrates, small vertebrates, fruit pulp, nectar, and pollen. That’s why Tropical Gecko Cream is the perfect food for them. It can be prepared as a flavorful, balanced mousse containing 40% freeze-dried fruit, insects (Hermetia, silkworm, mealworm), honey, and bee pollen. It is available in three flavors – apricot, fig, and strawberry – to cater to your geckos’ preferences.
What do Phelsuma look like?
Most species are vibrantly colored, typically in shades of green with red, blue, or yellow markings in the form of spots, streaks, or stripes. Adult males are especially colorful during the mating season. Several species, particularly those living in the dry, rocky habitats of western and southwestern Madagascar (Ph. breviceps, Ph. mutabilis, Ph. standingi), have more subdued coloration in shades of gray and brown. They range in size from 7 cm (Ph. malamakibo) to about 30 cm (Ph. guentheri).
Additionally, day geckos have round pupils instead of the elliptical ones typical of many other geckos. They also share several traits with their relatives, including the absence of eyelids, specialized lamellar structures on the undersides of their toes that enable them to climb vertical, smooth surfaces, and the ability to shed their tails as a defense mechanism (autotomy).
How do day geckos of the genus Phelsuma reproduce?
Phelsuma geckos are dioecious, exhibiting only slight sexual dimorphism. They typically form pairs, though males may mate with multiple females. All species are oviparous. Small and medium-sized species reach sexual maturity at around nine months, while larger species may not become reproductive until 18 months.
A few weeks after successful mating, females lay two eggs fused together, or occasionally a single egg. Some species can store sperm, allowing them to produce multiple fertilized clutches after a single mating. The eggs have a calcareous shell that is moist, soft, and flexible upon laying.
The female holds the eggs with her hind legs for a while, rotating them until the shell hardens upon contact with air. She then deposits them in a preselected safe location. Some species attach their eggs to smooth plant surfaces, while others place them loosely in the rosettes of fleshy-leaved plants, inside hollow bamboo shoots, or at the base of palm leaves.
The young hatch after several weeks, depending on the species and incubation temperature. Once hatched, they are almost immediately independent and begin feeding within a few days.
The most popular Phelsuma species
Phelsuma grandis, once classified as a subspecies of the Madagascar day gecko (Ph. madagascariensis), is the most popular species in amateur breeding. Its adaptability to artificial conditions, striking appearance, and fascinating behavior continue to drive interest in this species. I will soon share more insights on this remarkable day gecko.
Dawid Krótki
